Texting internationally doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful.
With the right knowledge, sending a text message to someone in another country is almost as simple as texting your friend down the street.
Understanding International Number Formatting
Here’s the thing about phone numbers that most people don’t realize—they’re structured in a specific way for international communication. While your domestic texting habits work fine locally, they fall apart when crossing borders.
The foundation of any international text is the proper number format:
+ (plus sign) + country code + phone number (without the leading zero)
That plus sign isn’t just decoration—it’s actually a universal symbol that tells your phone to prepare for an international number. Think of it as the “international access prefix” regardless of where you’re located in the world.
For example, a phone number in Australia might be 0412 345 678 when dialed locally. But internationally, you’d need to:
- Remove the leading zero (→ 412 345 678)
- Add Australia’s country code (+61)
- Format it as: +61 412 345 678
Step-by-Step Process for Texting Internationally
Now let’s break this down into actionable steps:
Finding the Country Code
Every country has a unique calling code. Some common ones include:
- United States and Canada: +1
- United Kingdom: +44
- Australia: +61
- India: +91
- China: +86
If you don’t know the country code, a quick internet search for “[country name] country code” will give you what you need. Alternatively, most phones now have country codes built into their contacts app.
Formatting the Number Correctly
- Start with the plus sign (+)
- Add the country code
- Add the recipient’s number, removing any leading zeros or special domestic prefixes
- Remove any spaces or special characters (though many phones will handle these automatically)
Let’s see this in practice. To text someone in the UK whose local number is 07700 900123:
UK format: 07700 900123
International format: +44 7700 900123
Notice how the leading zero from the original number was removed after adding the country code.
Device-Specific Instructions
On iPhone:
- To type the “+” symbol, press and hold the “0” key until the + appears
- Enter the country code and number
- Send as you would a regular text
On Android:
- Press and hold the “0” key to get the “+” symbol
- Enter the country code followed by the phone number
- Send as normal
Saving International Contacts
When saving international numbers in your contacts, always use the full international format with the plus sign. This ensures your phone will dial or text correctly no matter where you are in the world.
Instead of saving your British friend as 07700 900123, save them as +44 7700 900123. This way, your phone knows exactly how to reach them, whether you’re in Sydney, Singapore, or Seattle.
Cost Considerations and Carrier Issues
Let’s talk about what everyone worries about—the cost. International texting can be surprisingly expensive if you’re not prepared.
Standard Carrier Rates
International text messages typically cost more than domestic ones. In Australia, you might pay anywhere from 35 cents to 75 cents per international SMS, depending on your carrier and plan.
With MMS (picture or video messages), the costs can be even higher—sometimes up to $1 per message or more.
Carrier-Specific Considerations
Different carriers have different international texting policies:
- Some include international texting in premium plans
- Others offer international add-on packages
- Prepaid plans may have higher per-message rates
- Some carriers restrict international texting to certain countries
It’s always smart to check with your carrier before sending international texts. A simple call to customer service or checking your plan details online can save you from bill shock.
Remember—receiving international texts while traveling can also incur charges with some carriers. And if you’re overseas yourself, both sending and receiving texts might cost you.
Alternative Methods for International Messaging
Traditional SMS isn’t always the best choice for international communication. Thankfully, we have plenty of alternatives that can be cheaper—or even free.
App-Based Messaging Services
These internet-based messaging services use data instead of the SMS network:
- WhatsApp: Extremely popular globally, especially in Europe, India, and Latin America
- Signal and Telegram: Focused on security and privacy
- Facebook Messenger: Useful if you’re already connected on Facebook
- WeChat: Almost essential for communicating with people in China
- LINE: Dominant in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand
- iMessage: Free between Apple devices (appears blue on iPhones)
Most of these apps will automatically detect phone numbers in your contacts that are registered with their service. All you need is a data connection or WiFi.
The best part? These services are typically free to use for messaging (though data charges may apply if you’re not on WiFi).
How to Choose the Right Method
Consider these factors when deciding between traditional SMS and messaging apps:
- Cost: Is saving money your primary concern?
- Recipient’s preference: Which apps do they regularly use?
- Need for delivery confirmation: Most apps show when messages are delivered and read
- Media sharing needs: Need to send photos, videos, or files?
- Regional popularity: Different apps dominate in different countries
For frequent international communication, messaging apps are often more economical than traditional texting. They also typically offer more features like read receipts, typing indicators, and group messaging.
Troubleshooting Common International Texting Problems
Even when you do everything right, international texts can sometimes fail to deliver. Let’s troubleshoot the most common issues:
When Messages Aren’t Delivered
If your international text isn’t going through, check these potential issues:
- Number format: Double-check that you’ve used the correct country code and removed any leading zeros
- Carrier restrictions: Some carriers block international texting unless specifically enabled
- Recipient’s carrier: The recipient’s provider might be blocking incoming international messages
- Character limitations: Some international routes don’t support special characters or non-Latin alphabets
Country-Specific Challenges
Different countries have different texting ecosystems:
- China restricts many external messaging services
- Some Middle Eastern countries limit certain types of messaging
- Developing regions may have unreliable delivery of standard SMS
Verification and Confirmation
Unlike with messaging apps, standard SMS doesn’t provide read receipts. If delivery confirmation is important, consider:
- Asking the recipient to send a quick reply
- Using a service with delivery receipts like 160.com.au
- Switching to a messaging app that shows message status
Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt doesn’t work—international texting can sometimes require a bit of troubleshooting, but the solutions are usually straightforward.
Final Tips for Successful International Texting
To wrap things up, here are some practical tips for hassle-free international texting:
- Time zone awareness: Be mindful of when you’re texting—3 PM for you might be 3 AM for them
- Language considerations: Keep messages clear and avoid slang that might not translate well
- Character count: International SMS may have tighter character limits than domestic texts
- Verify important messages: For critical communications, follow up through another channel
- Consider cultural norms: Text message etiquette varies by region and culture
Remember the golden rule of international texting: + (plus sign) + country code + phone number (without the leading zero)
With these techniques in your toolkit, you can stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues around the world without stress or confusion.
Streamlining Your International Communication
For businesses that regularly communicate internationally, juggling different formats and methods can become time-consuming. If you’re sending frequent international messages or need to coordinate with overseas contacts, a dedicated SMS platform can simplify the process.
160.com.au is an Australian bulk SMS provider that handles international messaging with ease. The platform automatically formats numbers correctly and provides competitive rates for international texting. With features like delivery reports and scheduling capabilities, you can ensure your international messages reach their destination at the right time.
Whether you’re managing global teams, coordinating with international suppliers, or staying in touch with overseas customers, having a reliable system for international communication makes everything easier. The best part is that with the right tools, you don’t need to memorize country codes or worry about formatting—the system handles those details for you.
International texting doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right approach and tools, it’s just another way to stay connected in our increasingly global world.